Some might have the impression that ribs are one of those dishes that should be left to the “pit masters” — it’s just not true. Baking ribs in the oven is seriously easy. All you need is time — 95% of the recipe time is sitting back and relaxing waiting while the ribs bake.

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Secrets for Making Tender Ribs in the Oven

These baked ribs are so easy — all you need is a little time. We bake the ribs before adding any sauce, once baked you can brush on your favorite barbecue sauce or make ours.

For the most tender ribs, we like to remove the thin membrane covering the rack. It can be a bit tough when cooked and since we really love ribs that literally fall of the bone, the membrane has to go. To remove it, use a knife to gently slide under the membrane then using your fingers pull the membrane away from the bones. If slippery or difficult to remove, use a kitchen towel to take hold of it and pull. Then season both sides with salt and pepper and cover with aluminum foil. The ribs bake at a low temperature for 3 to 4 hours.

By the way, you might actually find that the butcher or shop you bought your ribs from has already removed the membrane. Less work for you!

Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce

You could use any bbq sauce you like, but for us, we like to cook up this quick sauce — it only takes a few minutes. We’ve shared how to make it in the recipe.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: These ribs were so popular, we made another version. Our Tender Bacon Bourbon Oven Baked Ribs are baked in the oven just like these sweet and spicy ribs, but we swap the sauce for our homemade bacon-bourbon barbecue sauce.

Back in the day we were contributors for Betty Crocker. We shared a similar version of this recipe with them. We loved it so much we had to share an adapted version with you.

Recipe updated, originally posted September 2011. Since posting this in 2011, we have tweaked the recipe to be more clear and added a quick recipe video. – Adam and Joanne

Easy, Fall-Off-The-Bone Oven Baked Ribs Recipe

PREP 15mins

COOK 4hr

TOTAL 4hr 15mins

Low and slow cooking make these oven baked ribs fall off the bone tender. Once baked, we like to add our sweet and spicy barbecue sauce to the ribs, but use whatever you love. For the most tender ribs, we remove the thin membrane covering the back of the rack. Depending on where you have purchased ribs, this may already be done for you. If not, instructions are in the notes section below.

Directions

Prepare Ribs

Heat oven to 275 degrees F.

If the ribs still have the thin membrane covering the back of the rack, remove it. See how in the notes section below. Season both sides of the ribs with salt and pepper then place, meat-side up, into a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. (It may be necessary to cut the ribs in half in order for them to fit into the pan). Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and then bake until the meat falls easily from the bones, 3 to 4 hours.

Make Barbecue Sauce

While the ribs bake, make the barbecue sauce. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the cumin and stir. Next, add the ketchup, hot chili sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine, season with salt then cook for 2 minutes. Set aside in preparation for the ribs to finish roasting.

To Finish

Remove the ribs from the oven, discard the aluminum foil and generously brush both sides with barbecue sauce.

Move an oven rack near to the top of the oven. Turn broiler to high and broil the ribs for 3-4 minutes, just until the barbecue sauce begins to caramelize.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

Removing the Membrane: Place the ribs meat-side-down on a cutting board. Locate the thin membrane covering the rack. This membrane can be tough when cooked. To remove, use a knife to gently slide under the membrane then using your fingers, pull the membrane away from the bones. If slippery or difficult to remove, use a kitchen towel to take hold of it and pull.

Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values. We assumed 3 servings. The information below does include the barbecue sauce.

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I made this recipe and it is the best so far that I have tried. It is not only easy, it is super delicious. The sweet and spicy barbecue sauce is the best. I did not put too much of the Sriracha, though, because I cannot tolerate spicy. But love, love, love this recipe. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Five star

I’ve made ribs many, many times, in oven and grill, used dry rubs, marinated overnight, etc., but honestly, these were THE easiest and most delicious ribs I’ve ever made. For realz – I used bottled barbecue sauce at end, the instructions were spot-on, these are perfect.

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